Edge Star fridge, what say? who has one?

[MarcFJ60]

I think magazines, and now websites as well, have to deal with a viewing base that is pretty broad. This site has some pretty hard core travelers. But it also has people, like me, who just camp a few times per year.

A magazine or website can't really cater to any specific group. I like reading about a lot of the high end products as much as I like reading about the many of the trips I know I'll never take. But if all the reviews dismissed anything that couldn't handle a trip up Everest, it wouldn't really help all the plain-Jane campers out there. Likewise, if all they reviewed were Coleman and Ozark Trail camping supplies, that wouldn't be very helpful to the people who have higher spec requirements. But both have their place.

In the most recent Overland Journal, they reviewed roof racks. Of the four or so, they actually made note on two - one as "Best" (or their pick) and one as a "Value." (although it was still a $1000 rack). I think that's a better way to review products when you have a diverse base.

I think of Fridges like winches: A $1200 Warn winch may be the "Best" winch, at least for somebody who uses one all the time in remote places. But a $300 import may be the "Best" for somebody who may use it once a year and wants cheap peace of mind "in case" they ever need it.

[TurboChris]

Had mine for over a year. Probably 10 days offroading. Replaced the plug with a nice Marine unit. It's a GREAT deal.

[Jonathan Hanson]

I think of Fridges like winches: A $1200 Warn winch may be the "Best" winch, at least for somebody who uses one all the time in remote places. But a $300 import may be the "Best" for somebody who may use it once a year and wants cheap peace of mind "in case" they ever need it.

That's quite often true. However, there's another factor at work for me, and I'll admit up front it's a personal decision. I loathe companies that buy someone else's product - such as, say a Warn M8000 winch - and then have it reverse-engineered in a Chinese factory and produced to a price point, while quite frequently cutting costs on the unseen components. Even if such a winch might suffice for casual use, the ethics of the business model repel me. In fact, even if it were exactly the same quality as the Warn for half the price I wouldn't be interested. Again, if I were on a tight budget I'd look for a used Warn . . .

[camper357]

I agree. I just picked up a used norcold 60 in good shape for considerably less than it would have cost to get a new edgestar 63. Based on my research I feel better with a used proven product that a new questionable product.

That's quite often true. However, there's another factor at work for me, and I'll admit up front it's a personal decision. I loathe companies that buy someone else's product - such as, say a Warn M8000 winch - and then have it reverse-engineered in a Chinese factory and produced to a price point, while quite frequently cutting costs on the unseen components. Even if such a winch might suffice for casual use, the ethics of the business model repel me. In fact, even if it were exactly the same quality as the Warn for half the price I wouldn't be interested. Again, if I were on a tight budget I'd look for a used Warn . . .

[evldave]

Staying away from the talk on what type of fridges, here's my experience with my Edgestar 43qt...

Bought last July (2010), put on the front rack of my trailer, fully exposed to the elements, and driven from Portland, OR to Tahoe, with a couple hundred miles offroad (dirt, dust, etc), some heavy thunderstorms, etc.
Used a few times in summer of 2010 as a camp fridge (maybe 2-3 trips), then put in the garage, filled with beer, and it sat there until this spring, when I put it back on the front rack of my trailer.

Since May of 2011, it's sat outside in the PNW (plenty of rain), running nonstop. On top of that, I put about 7,000 miles on it behind my rig, probably 2-3,000 of that offroad (mostly FS roads), in the rain, snow, mud, dirt, dust, etc. The vents sit directly behind my driver's tires when on the trailer, and at one point I tried to use magnet sheets to cover the vents to protect it from the elements, but they kept coming off, so I gave up and decided that the fridge will either survive or it won't. At one point on the WABDR last summer, the fridge got hit with branches so hard, it broke the handle off (branch caught the tiedown strap and broke the handle)

I live in the wet and wonderful Pacific Northwest, and just this last weekend took it out to the beach driving through a non-stop rain for hours. Over Thanksgiving, I drove it 250 miles to the Olympic National Forest and it rained the entire way...not light drizzle, but major 'windshield wipers on high' rain for 5 hrs. And when it's not being towed behind my rig, it sits outside in the rain 24/7 keeping my backup beer cold

I can't speak for anyone else's experiences, but mine have been entirely positive. I decided not to baby the fridge, and even after only a year and a half feel I've easily gotten my money's worth. Given how much I camp (40+ nights last year, likely 100+ nights in 2012), I would have already spent $400 in ice alone for my coolers.

Of course, now that I posted something nice about it, it will probably break. Nice thing about fridges though, they have like 5 parts, so are relatively easy to fix/repair

[Bennyhana]

To be honest Dave when I saw that thing on your trailer at the NW rally, covered in a layer of dust, I thought for sure you'd be looking for a new fridge soon. My edgestar has been doing great for 3 years now. While mine lives a more "cush" life than Dave's it has survived numerous offroad adventures and family camping trips. When not in the back of the Jeep, it runs 24/7 in the garage as my beer fridge. It also doubles as my sticker display.

Things I've noticed over the last 3 years with my fridge. 1st, It's definetly alot louder when it's running than when it was new. 2nd, It's seems to run alot more to maintain a set temp. And 3rd, YES the 12 volt cable really does suck! (replaced for free by compact appliance)

[Vince1]

Simple design and works like a charm. The people that typically dog them are non-owners, those that shelled out twice as much for a hyped brand.

[Jonathan Hanson]

The people that typically dog them are non-owners, those that shelled out twice as much for a hyped brand.

Actually not. I have a multi-megabyte file in which I note the performance or failures of all kinds of equipment, collected from a wide range of sources, from personal anecdotes to Consumer Reports. I've been doing it since I first started writing equipment reviews for Outside and National Geographic Adventure.

I will say that most of the bad reports I've heard regarding the Edge Star have involved peripheral systems such as wiring and plugs, and poor workmanship. But in terms of performance they definitely seem to be power hungry, which is most likely attributable to marginal insulation or sealing.

[Vince1]

Exactly my point, you've never owned or used one extensively. Thanks.

[Jonathan Hanson]

And have you owned or used extensively an Engel or ARB, both of which I own? I'm afraid you missed the point, which is that any single person's experience - my own most definitely included along with yours - is merely anecdotal. I know personally a young woman who put 140,000 completely trouble-free miles on a Yugo. Does that mean Yugos are great cars? Probably not. Do I need to have owned one to conclude that? Probably not.

Only a very large number of individual experiences can be considered statistically significant.